Channel member



yNov. 3, 1931. yT. R. HERBEST, JR 1,830,656

CHANNEL MEMBER Filed'April 14, 1930 Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE THOMAS R. HEEBEST, JR., F WHEELING, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T0 THE CONSOLI- DATED EXPANDED METAL COMPANIES, 0F WHEELNG, WEST VIRGINIA, A. COR- PORATION 0F W'EST VIRGINIA CHANNEL Application led April 14,

This invention relates to channel or other form of supporting members whlch are particularly adapted for use in the construction v of partition walls of buildings.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a supporting member of the type in question which is considerably lighter in Weight than those at presen't 1n common use and which, at the same time, has substantially the same rigidity as the ones now employed for any particular class of service.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a channel or supporting member which permits lathing, such as expanded metal meshwork. to be secured thereto with the greatest possible facility.

Still another object is the provision of a channel which is more readily cut to length on the job than types which have been used heretofore.

Still further the invention contemplates the provision ofv a supporting member for a partition structure, the said member being `provided with openings in the web thereof to permit' electrical conductors and/or gas or water pipes to be run or extended within the partition. n Finally, it should be observed, that the structural members of the present invention when incorporated in a partition structure render such structure more sound-proof than partitions built up with the types of support- ,J ing members now in common use. K

How the foregoing, together with other objects and advantages as will occur to those skilled in the art are obtained will be clear from a consideration of the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a partition strucn ture built up with channel members constructed according to the present invention,

MEMBER 1930. Serial No. 444,174.

the figure being taken substantially as indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of thestructure.

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of the channel member taken substantially as indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is another detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a modified forml of partition supporting member.

Referring now to Figs. 1 4, the reference character A indicates in general the channel members which are preferably madefrom flat stock and which are provided with flanges 5 at the edges of the webs 6.

In order to accomplish the foregoing objects, I stamp out a plurality of openings in the web of each channel member. In the preferred form the openings are substantially triangular in shape and from inspection of Fig. 2, with this type of stamping the web of the channel is preferably provided with a series of such openings alternate ones of which are oppositely disposed in order to provide a A'series of cross members 7 which are alternately inclined in opposite directions to the median line of the channel.

In order to lend additional strength, I may also provide each of the cross members 7 with a groove or rib 8. A channel which is stamped in the formation shown is approximately 37% lighter in weight than an ordinary imperforate channel member and, in addition, with the ribs 8 in the cross members is even more rigid and substantial than the ordinary imperforate type.

This particular arrangement of stamping, furthermore, affords the greatest possible percentage of spaces or openings through which tie-wires or hairpins may be inserted in order to attach the lathing at the edges of the channel members. J

As will be seen from inspection of Figs. 1

and 2, the securing hairpins 9 may be passed through the apices of the triangular openings in the channel web or at any point along the base of such triangles. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the wall structure is made up of a series of the channel members of the present invention with expanded metal lath or fabric 10 secured to the edges of the channels by means of the tie-wires already referred to. The wall surfacing material 13, usually plaster, is, of course, applied to the lathing on each side of the partition.

Fig. 2, it might also be noted, illustrates two electrical cables 11 and a pipe 12 for gas, water or the like. extended through various of the stamped openings in the channel web.

It should be observed that a partition built up in the manner described is much more sound-proof than other tvoes in view of the fact that sound waves which impinge against either wall become diffused to alarge extent within the partition itself in view of the fact that such partition is not divided up into a plurality of closed chambers. but on the contrary, is substantially onen throughout its entire length as well as its height.

The type of stamping illustrated is also advantageous in view of the fact that the channels Inav be very readily cut to length for the reason that it is necessary to cut through onlv a relatively small amount of metal.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of supporting member. the same having a web 14" in which openings 15 are stamped. In this form, instead of being provided with ordinary flanges. the edges of the member are configured to give the general appearance of an I-beam when viewed in cross section as in Fig. 5 (see reference numeral 16).

In conclusion it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the exact formation bf punching illustrated in the drawings although such form, 'as already noted, is preferable because the greatest possible rigidity is maintained while obtaining the maximum possible reduction in total weight. In addition, attention is called to the fact that the 37% of the metal which is stamped out when sold as scrap metal for various purposes will more than pay for the expense involved in the stamping operation in view of which it is possible to produce channel members according to my invention at a lower cost than imperforate channels and at the same time provide a channel which has several very substantial advantages over the t'ypes now in common use.

A partition structure including a stud member of channel form having triangular openings in the web thereof, the openings being arranged with their bases and apices dis posed adjacent the flanges and the openings being alternately oppositely disposed lengthto encircle said flange, and the ends of each' of said wires being knotted or twisted together at the outer face of the lathing.

In testimony whereof I have `hereunto signed my name,

THOS. R. HERBEST, JR. 

